Dispensing fitment applying machine



Nov. l26, 1963 A. w. wELLl-:R 3,111,798

DISPENSING FITMENT APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1959 5 Shee's-Sheeil 1 Nov. 26, 1.963 A. w. WELLER 3,111,798

DISPENSING FITMENT APPLYING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O 3,11l,798 BISPENSING FETMEN' AFFLYlNG MACHINE: Arthur W. Weller, Brooklyn, NX., assigner to Resina Automatic Machinery Ce., luc., Brooklyn, NX., a corporation of New York Filed dune 2, 1959, Ser. No. 817,667 9 Claims. (Cl. S33-306) This invention relates generally to the field of cap or tment applying apparatuses, and more particularly toan improved device particularly adapted for use in applying dispensing or pouring type tments of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,411,435 entitled Liquid Dispensing Device, granted November 19, 1946, to S. Kirschenbaum.

Existing prior art devices have not been found suitable for applying relatively delicate iitments of this type, owing to the relatively thin wall sections employed in the construction of the device. Where the itment is made of soft inert materials such as polyethylene, care must be taken to avoid damaging the ared pouring spout, or the centrally disposed tube. Thus, capping devices having a rolling action which are known and widely used in the art are completely unsuitable for the reason that the aforementioned parts will be deformed or otherwise damaged as the same pass beneath the pressure roller of such cap applying machines.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved applying device specifically adapted for the placement of dispensing tments of the type described which will accurately and compnetely seat a iitment within a bottleneck without misshaping or other damage to such litments.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a fitment applying machine of the class described which may operate at a Speed comparable with that of existing cap applying machinery, and thus have wide commercial application for use in conjunction with the packaging of a variety of liquids.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved iltment placing device in which the moving parts thereof may be of relatively simple nature, thus assuring a relatively long useful life, with a minimum of adjustment or servicing.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of a tment placing machine which may be substantially automatic in operation, and require but a minimum of attendance on the part of an operator.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of improved tment applying structure, possessed of the above advantages, and in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonable order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the provision of means whereby the iitments are stretched slightly as they are engaged upon the neck of a container, thereby simulating to a degree the rolling action of existing capping devices without danger of damage to the tment, as the same is being applied.

rhese objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE l is a fragmentary side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention, with certain parts removed for the purpose of clarity.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 2 2 in FGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a itment 3l l QS Patented Nov. 26, 1963 of the type employed in conjunction with the present ernbodiment.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view showing container advancement means comprising a part of the embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is an end view in elevation of the embodiment showing in particular the frame element thereof.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the tment gating means.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary end view of the gating means.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character lll, comprises broadly: a frame element l1, container conveying means 121, container timing and spacing means 13, container engaging means 14, litment supply means 16 and tment applying means l?.

The frame element 11 is best seen in FIGURE 5 on the drawings, and may be of any well known construction. rThe element ll includes a base i9, a lower frame door 2u, an upper frame floor 2l and means 22 for adjusting the relative distance between the floors 2t) and 2l.

The container spacing means i3 serves to introduce and maintain a uniform interval between successive containers, and includes a horizontally mounted worm member 3.?, having a trailing end. The worm member is supported on bearing members one of which is shown at 36 and driven through universal joints 37 and 38, pinnion 3? and gear 4t). Power is transmitted through a timing chain 4l and pulley i2 from a vertical shaft 45. A guide rail 424 is mounted in parallel relation with respect to the axis of the worm 32, and spaced a distance to permit each convolution of the worin to engage a single container, as best seen in FIGURE l on the drawings.

The container engaging means 14 is also driven from the shaft 43 through a driving sprocket 42. The sprocket 42 and an idler sprocket 5l support a sprocket chain 5?. having a plurality of equally spaced container engaging members S3 mounted thereon. Containers are guided by the cooperation of the members 53 with a guide rail 54, in such manner that although the space interval between containers is greater when the same are being advanced by the container engaging means 14 as compared with the container spacing means 13, the timed relation is maintained.

The iitment supply means 16 is preferably in the form of a chute, the lower end 65 of which is provided with resilient gating means 66, the action of which will more fully appear at a point later in the disclosure.

The tment applying means 17, see FIG. l, serves the broad function of removing an individual cap from the gating means 66, see FIGS. 6 and 7, and placing it upon a container neck as the same moves therebeneath. The means 17 includes a C-shaped frame '70 (see FIGURE 5), the upper leg 7l. of which is secured to the undersurface 72 of the upper frame floor 21. A horizontal bearing 73 supports a shaft 74 driven from the main shaft 7S by the electric motor Z3 and reduction means 77. Supported from a vertically disposed bracket are a pair of pivotally mounted generally horizontally disposed arms Si. The first ends 32 thereof are secured to the bracket 3i? by pintles permitting angular movement, While the second ends 83 thereof are supported by a tensioning element S4 which permits limited arcuate movement. The element 84 includes a threaded bolt member 85 having upper anchoring nuts 86 cngageable with the floor 21, a lower positioning nut 87, a tensioning nut 88 and a tension spring 39 of relatively high modulus.

The fitment applying wheel 91 is supported by the bearing 73 and shaft S4 and is driven through the shaft 74. Arranged about the periphery of the wheel 91 are a plurality of equally spaced bores 93 generally radially arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel 91. Disposed within the bores 93 are a plurality of resilient litment applying units 9d, which are substantially similar. Each includes a cylindrical main body member 95 which is urged outwardly by a coil spring 96, the spring 96 performing a cam follower function. A pair of cam engaging members 97 are transversely arranged with respect to the axis of the body member 94, the same being preferably of a roller bearing type. The litment engaging member 98, see FlGS. l and 2, as shown in the drawings is specifically adapted for use with the fitment shown in FGURE 3, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art, to which the invention relates, that the conguration of the same may be readily changed where tment of other configurations are being applied. If desired, the members 93 may be made in such manner as to be readily changed with others upon the outer end or the body member S25.

Extending at an angle with respect to the vertical brackets 80, are a pair of iirst cam supporting members 199, each having a irst cam surface 10i and a second cam surface 192. On the opposite side of the axis of rotation of the wheel 91 is a second pair of cam supporting members lil-fi having first and second cam sur faces 1&5 and 1%. Disposed between the cam surfaces lill-192 and @Q5- 1% are a pair of third cam members 197 which engage the cam engaging members 97 of the individual units 94 during the period in which the tments are being pressed into position with respect to individual containers.

Referring to FIGURES 6 and 7 on the drawings, there may be seen a pair of holding cam members 108 having hinged mounting means 169 thereon. rEhe cam members 19S substantially duplicate the cam surfaces 101 and when in engaged position with the cam engaging members 97 prevent the same from engaging the second cam surfaces 102. Resilient means 111 joins the cam members 10S to maintain them normally in engaged position alongside the cam members 190. Each of the cam members 168 is provided with a vertically arranged shaft 112, having a roller 113 positioned within the path of containers or bottles moving through the container engaging means 14.

The operation of the device will be apparent from a consideration of the several views. Bottles generally indicated by reference character 115 are conveyed by the container conveying means 12. to a point where the same are engaged by the container spacing means 13. With rotation of the worm 32, the bottles are advanced to a point where they are engaged by the container engaging means 14 which advances the same at a rate corresponding to the passage of the individual iitrnent applying units 9d. The itment supply means 16 continuously positions individual tments 123 within the gating means 66 in a position to be contacted by the trnent engaging members 93. Where no bottle 11S is in fitment receiving position, the holding cam members 1% lie parallel to the cam members 1G11, so that rotation of the wheel 91 will not result in radially outward movement of successive units 94 when they reach the position opposite the cam surfaces 102.

On the presence of one or more containers 115, the rollers 113 are contacted resulting in the spreading apart of the holding members 10%, whereby the cam surfaces 102 permit the unit 9d to project into the gating means 66 to engage itrnents 123 disposed therein. With subsequent movement of the container engaging means 14- and the litment applying wheel 91, the ltment is inserted into the neck 118 of the container 115. As best seen in FIGURE l, the cam engaging members 97 then engage the cams 107 which exert a positive force accurately securing the iitment within the neck in the bottle. This movement is accompanied by an upward movement of the unit 94 in a direction toward the axis of rotation of the wheel 91, which will result in the unit 94 exerting a slight dragging motion upon the iitment. As the tment engages the opening in the container 115 in such manner that the leading edge 124 of the litment 123 contacts the upper edge 12:3 of the neck portion 118 before the remaining parts of the fument, this receiving action of the unit 94 will result in a motion equivalent to a rolling motion. It is to be observed that this motion takes place because of the fact that the shortening of effective radius of rotation results in a corresponding shortening of the peripheral path of motion or the unit, and not due to any loss of synchronism between the wheel 91 and the container engaging means 14. With further movement of the wheel 91, the cam engaging members 97 are contacted by the surfaces and 166 of the cam supporting member 1554, resulting in withdrawing the units 94 from contact with the now seated ttment 123.

lt may thus be seen that there has been invented novel and highly useful improvements in fitment applying machines, in which means for accurately seating titments into the necks of :open containers is provided which will in no Way damage or misshape such relative-ly delicate litments.

Also provided is an accurate and relatively simple container timing and spacing means which controls movement of successive container to synchronize with movement of reciprocating container fitment applying units in such manner that no fitments will be placed .in the event there ,are no containers: in iitmcnit receiving position. OW-

' ing to the relative simplicity of the inventive structure,

the device may be operated at a relatively high speed, comparable with existing prior art capping machines.

lt is to be understood that it is not considered that the invention lies within the precise details of structure shown and set forth in thds speciiication, for obvious modications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

What is claimed is:

l. ln la yiitment applying apparatus, the improvement comprising: a fitment applying wheel having an axis of rotation substantially horizontally disposed, means for driving said wheel `in a predetermined angular direction; said wheel having a iitment applying unit thereon arranged for radial -reciprocation within said wheel, and having cam follower means thereon; fitment supply means including a component for successively positioning oriented fitments to a position for engagement by said tment applying unit; moans for advancing a serie-s of open containers in predetermined timed and spaced sequence beneath said Wheel to correspond to angular movement of said reciprocating tmenit unit; ycam means engaging said cam follower means for moving said reciprocating unit radially outwardly to pick up a litment disposed in said f1tment supply means `and move the same outwardly of said supply means, whereby angular movement of said wheel in iconnection with said container advancing means may serve to place and seat individual iitments upon a container disposed iitment receiving position.

2. In a fitment applying apparatus, the improvement comprising: a fitment applying wheel having an axis of rotation substantially horizontally disposed, means for driving said wheel in a predetermined angular direction; `said wheel having a ftment applying unit thereon arranged for radial reciprocation within said Wheel, and having Icam follower means thereon; fitment supply means including a component for successively positioning oriented liftments to a position for engagement by' said litment applying unit; means for advancing a series of open containers in predetermined timed and spaced sequence beneath said Wheel to correspond to angular movement of said reciprocating tment unit; cam means engaging said cam follower means for moving said reciprocating unit radially outwardly to pick up Ia iitment disposed in said litment `supply means and move the same outwardly of said supply means, whereby angular movement of said wheel in connection with .said container advancing means may serve to place and seat individual fitments upon a container disposed in tment receiving position; and means for rendering said clam means inoperative during such period as there is no container in frtment receiving position.

3. A container fitment applying device comprising: a iitment applying wheel mounted 'for rotation about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, a plurality of fitment applying units arnanged for substantially radial reciprocation upon the periphery of said wheel and having cam follower means thereon, resilient means associated with each of said fitment applying units serving to urge the same radially outwardly; itment supply means having gating means -associated therewith disposed within the path of said tment applying units; cam means for resiliently extending said itment applying units in succession into engagement with successive fitments disposed within said gating means; and means for advancing successive containers in spaced and timed relation beneath said wheel, whereby said iitments may be seated upon said containers.

4. A container litment applying device comprising: a fitment applying wheel mounted for rotation about a Substanitally horizontally disposed axis, a plurality of litment applying units arranged for substantially radial reciprocation upon the periphery of said wheel and lhaving cam follower means thereon, resilient means associated with each of said iitment applying units serving to urge the same radially outwardly; iitment supply means having gating means associated therewith disposed within the path or" said tment applying units; iirst cam means for resilient extending said litment applying units in succession into engagement with successive litments disposed within said gating means; means for advancing successive containers in spaced and timed relation beneath said wheel, and second cam means for moving said units radially outwardly adjacent said containers, whereby said iitments may be transferred from said gating means and seated upon said containers.

5. A container fitrnent applying device comprising: a iitrnent applying wheel mounted Ifor rotation about a substantially horizont-ally disposed axis, `a plurality of iitment applying units arranged for substantially radial reciprocation upon the periphery of said wheel and having cam follower means thereon, resilient means associa-ted with each of said fitment applying units serving to urge the same radially outwardly; tment supply means having gating means associated therewith disposed within the path of said fitrnent applying units; first cam means for resiliently extending said litment applying units in succession into engagement with successive tments disposed within said gating means; means `for advancing successive containers in spaced and timed relation beneath said wheel, and second cam means for moving said units radially outwardly adjacent said containers, whereby said fitments may be transferred from said gating means and seated upon said containers; and third cam means for positively retracting said itment applying units after the seating of said tments upon said containers.

6. A container itment applying device comprising: `a iitment applying wheel mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, la plurality of litrnent applying units arranged for substantially radial reciprocation upon the periphery of said wheel and having cam follower means thereon, resilient means associated with each of said itment applying units serving to urge the same radi-ally outwardly; litment supply means having gating means associated therewith disposed Within the path of said tment applying units; cam means for resiliently extending said fitment applying units in succession into engagement with successive iitments disposed within said gating means; and means for advancing successive containers in spaced and timed relation beneath said wheel, wlhereby said lfitments may be seated upon said containers; and means for rendering said cam means inoperative when there is no container in -iitment receiving position.

7. A container ritment applying device comprising: a tment applying wheel mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, a plurality of tment applying units arranged for substantially radial reciprocation upon .the periphery of said wheel and having cam follower means thereon, resilient means associated with each of said itment applying units serving to urge the same radially outwardly; tment supply means having gating means associated therewith disposed within the path of said trnent `applying units; first cam means for resiliently extending said litrnent 'applying units in succession into engagement with success-ive tments disposed within said gating means; means for advancing successive containers in spaced and time relation beneath said wheel, and second cam means for moving said units radially outwardly adjacent said containers, whereby said itments may be transferred from said gating means and seated upon said containers; and third cam means rendering said first cam means inoperative when there is no container 'in tment receiving position.

8. A container lltment applying device comprising: a trnent applying wheel mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontally disposed axis, a plurality of litrnent applying units arranged for substantially radial reciprocation upon the periphery of said wheel and having cam follower means thereon, resilient means `associated with each of said fitment applying units serving to urge the same radially outwardly; tment supply means having gating means associated therewith disposed within the path of said itment applying units; lirst cam means for resiliently extending said iitment applying units in succession into engagement with successive iitments disposed within said gating means; means for advancing said successive containers in spaced `and timed relation beneath said wheel, second cam means for moving said units radially outwardly adjacent said containers, whereby said litments may be transferred from said gating means and seated upon said containers; third cam means for positively retracting said iitmont applying units after the seating of said iitment upon said containers; and fourth cam means for rendering said first cam means inoperative when there is no container .in tment receiving position.

9. A container tit-ment applying device comprising: a ritrnent applying wheel mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontally disposed axis and capable of limited resilient Illexing in a vertical plane, a plurality of fitment applyinfI units arranged for substantially radial reciprooation upon the periphery of said wheel and having cam 4follower means thereon, resilient means associated with eaoli of said tment applying units serving to urge the same radially outwardly; trnent supply means having gating means associated therewith disposed within the path of said tment applying units; cam means for resilently extending said iitment applying units in succession into engagement with successive litments disposed within said gating means; and means for advancing successive containers in spaced and timed relation beneath said wheel, whereby said tments may be seated upon said containers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A FITMENT APPLYING APPARATUS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: A FITMENT APPLYING WHEEL HAVING AN AXIS OF ROTATION SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED, MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID WHEEL IN A PREDETERMINED ANGULAR DIRECTION; SAID WHEEL HAVING A FITMENT APPLYING UNIT THEREON ARRANGED FOR RADIAL RECIPROCATION WITHIN SAID WHEEL, AND HAVING CAM FOLLOWER MEANS THEREON; FITMENT SUPPLY MEANS INCLUDING A COMPONENT FOR SUCCESSIVELY POSITIONING ORIENTED FITMENTS TO A POSITION FOR ENGAGEMENT BY SAID FITMENT APPLYING UNIT; MEANS FOR ADVANCING A SERIES OF OPEN CONTAINERS IN PREDETERMINED TIMED AND SPACED SEQUENCE BENEATH SAID WHEEL TO CORRESPOND TO ANGULAR MOVEMENT OF SAID RECIPROCATING FITMENT UNIT; CAM MEANS ENGAGING SAID CAM FOLLOWER MEANS FOR MOVING SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT RADIALLY OUTWARDLY TO PICK UP A FITMENT DISPOSED IN SAID FIT- 